Confirm Active Airbags Before You Buy
I'm anxious to replace our aging 1988 Toyota Corolla wagon (204,000 miles and counting), at least partially because it's lacking all the safety features that the more modern cars have, such as anti-lock brakes and driver/passenger airbags. But there's a potential problem. According to Newsweek , "as many as one in 25 accident-damaged cars has its airbag replaced with a stolen, salvaged or fake airbag."
To try to avoid a nasty surprise should you get in an accident, make sure to do some research before you buy. I always run a CarFax report on any used car I'm considering purchasing before I even go out to take a look in person. CarFax also offers a free airbag report that details any record of airbag deployment. But ultimately the best way to make sure the car you want to purchase as an airbag that's functional is to have your mechanic take a look. And you're going to have your mechanic check out any used car with dog car potential before you buy anyway, right?
To try to avoid a nasty surprise should you get in an accident, make sure to do some research before you buy. I always run a CarFax report on any used car I'm considering purchasing before I even go out to take a look in person. CarFax also offers a free airbag report that details any record of airbag deployment. But ultimately the best way to make sure the car you want to purchase as an airbag that's functional is to have your mechanic take a look. And you're going to have your mechanic check out any used car with dog car potential before you buy anyway, right?
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